Alabaster, AL vs Pelham, AL

Alabaster is moderately more affordable than Pelham, with a 8.7% lower cost of living index. Alabaster scores 94 compared to 103 for Pelham, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Pelham can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Alabaster is $1,375/month compared to $1,573/month in Pelham — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Alabaster is more affordable at $242,600 median vs $278,900.

Median household income in Alabaster is $90,163 compared to $91,904 in Pelham (-1.9%). Pelham does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Alabaster spend roughly 18.3% of their income on rent, less than the 20.5% in Pelham.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (64.4°F vs 64.4°F). Pelham receives more rainfall at 56.2" per year compared to 56.2" in Alabaster.